Prattville business owners take big risk in avoiding Obamacare

Becky Newman, a hair stylist, says she's taking a big risk by not signing up for Obamacare.

PRATTVILLE, AL (WSFA) -

At Family Cuts in Prattville Becky Newman gave up trying to decide whether she could afford health insurance under the Affordable Care Act.

Newman's conclusion? "No," she said emphatically.

Under the law just about everyone is required to have health insurance beginning in 2014. Newman will not be among them. The estimated premiums for her would be around $500 a month, far beyond her ability to pay. Newman had insurance at one time before her husband passed away three years ago.

"I don't sleep well at night and it is what it is," said Newman.

Tamara Thornton is in the same boat except her story is a bit more precarious.

It's the story of two women who say they can't afford 'Obamacare' and will end up having to pay the penalty as prescribed by the law. In Thornton's case $300 next year and more the following year.

"It's going to be cheaper for me to pay the penalty," said Thornton.

With all the problems with the new health care roll out plan and now insurance cancellation issues, Newman and Thornton say they actually agree with President Obama healthcare in American needed an overhaul but this is not the way. They believe the mistakes so far prove that point.

"He says one thing and it's a lie and says something else and that doesn't pan out,"said Thornton.

With a history of heart disease in her family, Becky Newman goes to bed every night hoping for the best.

As for Tamara Thornton she knows her health is a ticking time bomb but feels as though she has no other choice. Thornton hopes and prays her health situation doesn't get any worse.